No. 187 Squadron RAF

No. 187 Squadron RAF
Active1 April 1918–1919
1 February 1945 – 1 Dec 1946
1 February 1953 – 2 Sept 1957
CountryUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
Motto(s)Versatile[1]
Insignia
Squadron BadgeA buzzard carrying a propeller in its claws
Squadron codesPU (Feb 1945 - Dec 1946)

No. 187 Squadron RAF was a Royal Air Force Squadron that was a transport unit towards the end of World War II.

History

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Formation in World War I

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The squadron formed on 1 April 1918 as a night training unit and disbanded in 1919 without acquiring its own aircraft.

Formation in World War II

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The squadron reformed on 1 February 1945 at RAF Merryfield and equipped with Halifax transport aircraft. It then equipped with Dakotas for trooping flights to India and then destinations in Europe including Bari, Italy. The squadron disbanded in Austria on 1 November 1946 upon renumbering as No. 53 Squadron RAF.

Postwar period

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On 7 February 1952 No. 2 Home Ferry Unit was established at Aston Down. On 1 February 1953 the unit was renamed No. 187 Squadron.

The squadron ferried aircraft in the UK and to Germany before it was finally disbanded on 2 September 1957.

Aircraft operated

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Aircraft operated by No. 187 Squadron RAF[2]
From To Aircraft Variant
Feb 1945 Mar 1945 Handley Page Halifax III
Mar 1945 Oct 1946 Douglas Dakota II
Feb 1953 Sep 1957 Avro Anson C.19
Mar 1955 Sep 1957 Vickers Varsity T.1
Apr 1955 Sep 1957 Avro Anson C.12

References

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  1. ^ Pine, LG (1983). A Dictionary of mottoes. London: Routledge & K. Paul. p. 249. ISBN 0-7100-9339-X.
  2. ^ C.G.Jefford (1988). RAF Squadrons. UK Airlife Publishing. ISBN 1-85310-053-6.
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